The play and the process of putting on the play might overlap a bit at the Duluth Playhouse, and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," based on the book by Barbara Robinson and opening Thursday, may be the better for it.
Sue Hansen, a newcomer to acting, is playing one of the lead roles, Grace Bradley, a woman who reluctantly takes on the local church Christmas pageant production only to have it hijacked by a family of bullies, the Herdmans. They battle over whether or not the baby Jesus should burp and put an entirely new spin on elements of the Christmas story.
As the Playhouse puts it, "Angels with attitude. A Madonna with a sneer. Magi bent on mayhem. These are just some of the problems confronting a couple staging a church Christmas pageant when the Herdmans -- probably the most inventively awful kids in history -- show up to be cast."
The result is three chaotic rehearsals and much consternation, but in the process, everyone learns something about the meaning of Christmas.
Hansen, whose previous experience with the Playhouse has been in set painting, said her character's response to the new challenge is to "put on a brave face."
ADVERTISEMENT
"I try to remain calm, but there's a little nervous breakdown just under the skin," she said.
With a cast of 42 ranging in age from about 6 years old to about 70 years old, the rehearsals for the Playhouse production sometimes bear a slight resemblance to those depicted in the play itself, Hansen says.
Presumably that's in character and not degree -- one incident in the play requires that firemen be called.
"I've worked with church kids quite a lot," Hansen said. "... It's very similar."
Hansen said she's even noticed director Jean Olson using lines Grace says in the play while managing the cast's younger members.
But the mildly chaotic atmosphere works out well, at least in Hansen's case. She says that feeling of an impending breakdown is a familiar one from her own experience working on things like Christmas pageants. So the character isn't a huge stretch.
In addition, Hansen is one of several adult actors whose own children are the play. The lines call for her son Hank, 6, to lie to her, and she says she gives Hank the same look she would give him at home.
Olson says the play will ring true to anyone who's spent time around a Christmas pageant or a school production.
ADVERTISEMENT
"And it has church ladies who are there on hand to criticize every move," she said.
"It plays off a lot of memories for people," she added.
She said the range in ages for the cast was a great experience for all involved.
"I think it's great," she said. "I think they learn from each other and respect each other."
She also emphasized the family friendly nature of the play in its many meanings.
"It's a comedy," she said. "It's laugh-out-loud humor, but with a lot of poignancy," she said.
She says it's for people of any age and offers a message of tolerance and acceptance.
Hansen says the changes in the characters reflect the meaning of Christ's coming to Earth. "Christ came so we could change," she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition to an aid to character development, having her son Hank in the show is offering additional benefits to Hansen: coaching. Hank has more acting experience.
"I'm taking, like, acting advice from my 6-year-old," she said.
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" opens the children's season for the Playhouse and runs through Dec. 21. For times, ticket information and reservations, contact the Duluth Playhouse at 733-7555.
